Peasant study (Marguerite Moreau) 

Here we have Jules Breton’s sketch Peasant Study (Marguerite Moreau). Breton, working in 19th-century France, was known for his paintings depicting rural life, often focusing on the dignity and strength of peasant women. In this sketch, we see Marguerite Moreau, a woman from the village of Courrières. Breton captures her with a sense of quiet resolve. Her hands are firmly on her hips and her gaze is directed to the distance, alluding to the burdens and the resilience of women in rural society. Breton, though celebrated for his sympathetic portrayals, was an outsider looking in. While he aimed to depict the realities of peasant life, his perspective was inevitably shaped by his own social standing. Still, this image, with its delicate lines and thoughtful composition, invites us to consider the lived experiences of women like Moreau, and their place in a rapidly changing world.